New Report from SchoolHouse Connection on Infant and Toddler Homelessness

By Julie Walker, National Campaign Coordinator  

SchoolHouse Connection, an Opportunity Starts at Home (OSAH) campaign Roundtable member, released a new report, Infant and Toddler Homelessness Across 50 States, presenting the estimated incidence of homelessness and enrollment in early childhood development programs among infants and toddlers at the national and state levels during the 2022-2023 program year. The report also recommends actions at the federal, state, and local levels to increase access to housing and early childhood development programs. A child’s brain develops faster than at any other time between birth and age three, and the report finds that an increasing number of infants and toddlers spend these critical years without a safe and stable home, negatively impacting their development, health, and future economic security. The report emphasizes the need for collaboration and alignment across housing, homelessness, early childhood, health, and other sectors to prevent and address infant and toddler homelessness.  

The report finds that homelessness among infants and toddlers is increasing, and those experiencing homelessness are receiving less developmental support through early childhood programs. During the 2022-2023 program year, approximately 446,996 infants and toddlers (ages birth through 3) experienced homelessness across the U.S. This is a 23% increase from 2021, and an increase in homelessness is seen in 48 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. To mitigate the impacts of homelessness, it is important that infants and toddlers have access to high-quality early childhood development opportunities. However, families experiencing homelessness face barriers to access, including lack of documentation, lack of transportation, and lack of understanding among providers and families about eligibility. Only 10% of infants and toddlers experiencing homelessness were enrolled in a Home-based, Early Head Start, or Local Educational Agency-funded program during the 2022-2023 program year. Since 2021, the percentage of infants and toddlers experiencing homelessness and enrolled in an early childhood development program decreased from 11.5% to 10%. 

Programs for babies and expectant parents, including Head Start/Early Head Start, Early Intervention, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are currently facing significant threats, and the authors urge legislators to reject cuts to these programs and highlight how cuts could increase and prolong homelessness. Federal and state lawmakers should instead remove barriers and increase support to address infant and toddler homelessness. The report includes six priority areas for policy reform, including increased investments in the supply of affordable housing for families with infants and toddlers, such as targeted housing vouchers and rental subsidies.

Read the report here.